New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A2023

Introduced
1/11/22  

Caption

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to disseminate outage information to customers through autodialed telephone call, text message, and electronic mail alert service.

Impact

The enactment of A2023 is anticipated to significantly improve customer experiences during outages by offering timely and detailed updates. This is particularly crucial during emergencies, ensuring that residents are well-informed about service disruptions that can affect their daily lives. By creating a formalized communication framework, the bill aims to minimize confusion and provide guidance during service outages, which is essential for public safety and well-being.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2023 mandates electric, gas, and water public utilities to develop and implement comprehensive notification systems for service outages. Specifically, utilities are required to provide information via autodialed telephone calls, text messages, and electronic mail alerts using customer contact information they have on record. This system aims to enhance the communication of service interruptions by informing customers about the location and estimated duration of outages, as well as providing contact information for utility assistance and emergency services.

Contention

While the bill is mainly focused on improving customer outreach, there may be concerns regarding the effectiveness of such communication methods. Critics might argue about the potential for technical failures in automated systems, or the risk of information overload if customers receive too many notifications. Additionally, the bill does not specify penalties for utilities that fail to comply with these new requirements, leading to potential debates about accountability in service delivery. The balance between providing sufficient information and avoiding unnecessary alarm will be a critical consideration as these changes are implemented.

Companion Bills

NJ S192

Same As Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to disseminate outage information to customers through autodialed telephone call, text message, and electronic mail alert service.

Previously Filed As

NJ A1749

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to disseminate outage information to customers through autodialed telephone call, text message, and electronic mail alert service.

NJ A3230

Requires electric public utilities to disseminate through social media and text message certain information during power outages.

NJ S397

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to provide certain notifications to customers concerning certain service outages.

NJ AB1410

Utilities: service outages and updates: alerts.

NJ A4504

Requires electric public utilities to report certain information concerning power outages on their Internet website and to BPU.

NJ A4626

Requires electric public utilities to conduct wellness checks in age-restricted communities during power outages.

NJ A4509

Requires electric public utilities to provide industrial portable power stations accessible to customers during certain power outages.

NJ S3332

Requires boil water notices to be provided by certain public water systems via telephone, email or text message.

NJ A1927

Requires boil water notices to be provided by certain public water systems via telephone, email or text message.

NJ A4516

Requires electric public utilities to pre-place repair equipment in areas with frequent power outages.

Similar Bills

NJ A1749

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to disseminate outage information to customers through autodialed telephone call, text message, and electronic mail alert service.

NJ S397

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to provide certain notifications to customers concerning certain service outages.

MS HB745

Cell location information; require wireless service providers to disclose to law enforcement under certain circumstances.

MS HB1055

Cell location information; require wireless service providers to disclose to law enforcement under certain circumstances.

NJ S2910

Requires Internet websites which deal in electronic dissemination of music or audiovisual works to disclose certain information.

NJ A3956

Requires Internet websites which deal in electronic dissemination of music or audiovisual works to disclose certain information.

TX HB5129

Relating to the security of certain personal identifying information submitted to or retained by a state agency.

ND HB1134

Harassment of another.